Agenda and minutes

The Chair informed the Committee that he would be bringing forward Agenda Item 5 - Chair’s Announcements as the first item to be discussed on the agenda.

To receive any announcements that the Chair of Scrutiny Committee may wish to make.

The Chair asked for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to their colleague Councillor Frank Letch MBE who passed away on Tuesday 8 April 2025.

A minute’s silence was held.

The Chair had no other announcements to make.

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of substitute Members (if any).

There were no apologies.

To record any interests on agenda matters.

Members were reminded of the need to make declarations of interest where appropriate.

To receive any questions from members of the public and replies thereto.

Note:   A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

There were no public questions.

To consider whether to approve the minutes as a correct record of the meeting held on Monday 17 March 2025.

The minutes of the last meeting held on Monday 17 March 2025 were approved as a correct record and SIGNED by the Chair.

To consider any decisions made by the Cabinet at its last meeting on Tuesday 1 April 2025 that have been called in.

The Committee NOTED that none of the decisions made by the Cabinet at their meeting on 1 April 2025 had been called in.

To receive the Annual Report of the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee.

The Committee had before it, and NOTED, the Scrutiny Committee Chair’s Annual Report * for 2024/2025.

This report along with all other Chair’s reports for 2024/2025 would be presented at full Council on 23 April 2025.

The Chair thanked Members of the Committee and officers for their help and support throughout the past year.

Members of the Committee thanked the Chair and Vice Chair for their work this year and particularly for bringing South West Water before the Committee.

Note: *Report previously circulated.

To review the existing Work Plan and consider items for the committee’s future consideration, taking account of:

a) Any items within the forward Plan for discussion at the next meeting;

b) Suggestions of other work for the committee in 2025/26.

The Committee had before it and NOTED the *Forward Plan and the *Scrutiny Committee Work Programme.

The Clerk identified the changes in the Work Programme since publication of the agenda:

·         The Community Safety Partnership Annual Report would come before the Committee on 9 June 2025.

·         The Report on Housing Repairs and Maintenance would move to the meeting on 8 September 2025.

·         The report coming before the Committee on 14 July 2025 entitled ‘Housing Strategy’ was wrongly titled, the report coming to the Scrutiny Committee would be called ‘Value for Money and Best Practice in Mid Devon Housing Modular Social Housing Delivery Report’ and reflected what the Committee had requested.

·         Quarterly Freedom of Information Dashboards had been repositioned within the programme to suit when the data for each quarter would be available.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         Six months after South West Water had visited there should be a review to ascertain how far the issues raised had been resolved. If the issues remained outstanding then South West Water should be invited back before the Committee within 3 months after the 6 month review. It was AGREED to add this to the Work Programme.

·         Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). It was requested that the Committee were flexible to bring LGR at short notice as the need arose.

Note: the *Forward Plan and the *Scrutiny Committee Work Programme were previously circulated.